Parliamentary questions

Greenways Provision

Pat Buckley

119. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the progress of the remaining stretch of the Midleton-Youghal Greenway project, including a timeline for completion. [24783/24]

Public Transport

Pat Buckley

120. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on measures being taken to improve public transport links in rural areas of east Cork, especially those routes which may not be financially advantageous but serve an important role in connecting more isolated and under-serviced communities. [24784/24]

Flood Risk Management

Pat Buckley

209. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide an update from his recent visit to east Cork in Castlemartyr, Killeagh, Mogeely and with the residents of an area (details supplied) regarding the ongoing flood defence proposals for east Cork; if the issues at Moore's Bridge, Midleton are going to be resolved quickly, including the removal of the bridge in the Owenacurra River; if the riverbed further down from the bridge will have the excess gravel removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24742/24]

Flood Risk Management

Pat Buckley

210. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he or his Department has seen the proposals from the residents of an estate (details supplied) to introduce immediate flood prevention measures with the help of the local landowner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24743/24]

Flood Risk Management

Pat Buckley

212. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide an update on the current status of the proposed flood defence projects for the east Cork region. [24782/24]

Housing Provision

Pat Buckley

383. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide, in tabular form, a detailed update on the completion of social and affordable housing units in the east Cork area, including unit size, cost, rent levels if not on set council rates, or unit-cost for the purchaser in the case of to-buy schemes for the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024. [24785/24]

Housing Provision

Pat Buckley

384. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on planned new social and affordable housing units for east Cork over the next five years, including expected unit size, cost, completion deadline and any additional details. [24786/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Pat Buckley

699. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the reason a 68-year-old lady (details supplied) has been on a waiting list for breast surgery for over two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24735/24]

Medicinal Products

Pat Buckley

707. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the exorbitant prices being charged for melatonin which has been prescribed for adolescents, as much as €60 per month, but is not covered by the drugs payment scheme, DPS, or medical card; the reason for this; and the steps he will take to resolve the hardship being caused. [24775/24]

Medicinal Products

Pat Buckley

708. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that children who are prescribed fluoxetine under 30mg are not covered by the DPS or medical card scheme; the reason for this, considering 30mg tablets are not available; and the steps he will take to resolve the hardship this is causing people in mental health distress. [24776/24]

Medicinal Products

Pat Buckley

709. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the cost of medicines related to the treatment or management of autism and ADHD given increasing diagnosis at adult ages and the prohibitive costs of treatment for many adults who do not have medical cards, given the fact that the drugs payment scheme, DPS, may not cover any of their monthly costs or only a small part. [24777/24]

Third Level Reform

Pat Buckley

896. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to ensure that families where one parent is a carer are not unduly penalised when seeking support for a child entering third level education in terms of SUSI and other State supports. [24778/24]

Third Level Reform

Pat Buckley

897. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if work has been carried out to develop a more nuanced approach to determining the independence of SUSI applicants (details supplied). [24779/24]

School Accommodation

Pat Buckley

230. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the overcrowded conditions in the Educate Together National School in Fermoy, County Cork, which have resulted in some classes being held in a corridor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23928/24]

School Accommodation

Pat Buckley

231. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education her plans to address overcrowded conditions in the Educate Together National School in Fermoy, County Cork, in the short term to improve the learning environment for students while plans for a more adequately sized facility are developed. [23929/24]

School Enrolments

Pat Buckley

232. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education her long-term plans for the development of national schools in the Fermoy and east Cork area generally to avoid overcrowding and promote the best learning environment for students now and into the future. [23930/24]

Special Educational Needs

Pat Buckley

233. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education what provisions are in place, or planned, to ensure the best supports possible are provided for schools which have a high number of students with additional learning needs, for example the Educate Together National School in Fermoy, County Cork, in which 62% of students have an identified additional learning need but are experiencing overcrowded classrooms at present. [23931/24]

School Facilities

Pat Buckley

234. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education to outline the process for identifying and selecting facilities for national schools, the basic requirements and additional criteria which are desired and what consideration is made for future growth and development of these facilities to meet demand and ensure the best educational and work environments for students and teachers. [23932/24]

School Accommodation

Pat Buckley

235. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education to outline the rationale for housing the Educate Together National School in Fermoy, County Cork, in the basement of a shared building which is wholly inadequate for the school's size and needs and provides no space for growth or development of this school service into the future; if this meets the standards for a positive school environment; and if there are plans to address concerns that the location is detrimental to the educational success of the school. [23933/24]

Home Help Service

Pat Buckley

247. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason a person (details supplied) cannot return to their home, despite being promised 32 hours a week home care and is at present residing in a community hospital for the elderly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23341/24]

Dental Services

Pat Buckley

275. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) will have to wait for more than two years to get broken dentures replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22284/24]

Childcare Services

Pat Buckley

527. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the lack of preschool places in Youghal, County Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21676/24]

Home Help Service

Pat Buckley

600. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if his Department is aware of a new shift work teams project in the Cork and Kerry home support services which is to begin in June this year and that this new initiative involves rotating five people within the teams over a four-week period (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21540/24]

Substance Misuse

Pat Buckley

664. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 270 of 22 February 2024, if hexahydrocannabinol is defined as a psychoactive drug under existing legislation and relating schedules; if not, the steps he has taken to regulate the sale of the drug for human consumption, especially in circumstances where it may be purchased by minors or without any information regarding potential risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17930/24]

Flood Risk Management

Pat Buckley

363. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide an update on what interim measures have been implemented in east Cork after the most recent flooding disaster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15031/24]

Flood Risk Management

Pat Buckley

364. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if interim flood relief measures can be put in place as soon as possible to prevent further flooding in parts of Midleton, Castlemartyr, Whitegate Village and Mogeely; what immediate supports are available to those housing estates to expedite the safety of those homes and prevent future flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15033/24]

Schools Building Projects

Pat Buckley

423. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a progress report on a school (details supplied); if tenders have been awarded to begin the school builds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13977/24]

Development Contributions

Pat Buckley

625. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider extending the temporary development contribution waiver scheme, given it is due to expire in April 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13992/24]

Rail Network

Pat Buckley

159. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport when works will commence in relation to each of the new rail stations of Blarney/Stoneview, Monard, Blackpool/Kilbarry, Tivoli, Dunkettle, Carrigtwohill West, Water-Rock, Ballynoe under the Cork area commuter rail programme; when each station will be open and operational, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11927/24]

Local Authorities

Pat Buckley

582. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department can extend the deadline for the voluntary redundancy scheme for local authorities' water staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11534/24]

Flood Relief Schemes

Pat Buckley

248. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the criteria for applying for humanitarian assistance after the recent flooding in east Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10052/24]

Waterways Ireland

Pat Buckley

265. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that Waterways Ireland is in the process of issuing a licence to the Portaneena Marina based in the Killinure Lough off Lough Ree outside Athlone (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8726/24]

Waterways Ireland

Pat Buckley

266. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8727/24]

Vacant Properties

Pat Buckley

180. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the vacant property refurbishment grant, particularly in relation to Cork County Council; the stage of applications at present, particularly in relation to a person (details supplied); the number of applicants who have drawn down and received the grant to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8555/24]

Defence Forces

Pat Buckley

185. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 134 of 28 November 2023, if the medical records of a member of the Defence Forces were found to be incorrect and inaccurate, the procedure that is in place to put this miscarriage of justice right; the person or body to contact with new evidence and supporting documents (details supplied) to rectify this important issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6620/24]

Hospital Facilities

Pat Buckley

636. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health to outline the plans to close the paediatric unit in Mercy University Hospital which would leave Cork University Hospital as the only hospital in the area which covers care for under 16 years-olds; and to provide a rationale for this change. [2902/24]

Hospital Services

Pat Buckley

637. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of concerns regarding the additional strain on services at Cork University Hospital due to the planned closure of the MUH paediatrics unit; and to outline plans to address these concerns, including increased resources, beds and staff. [2903/24]

Hospital Facilities

Pat Buckley

638. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that sufficient parking will be in place for Cork University Hospital if plans are true to make it the only hospital serving under 16-year-olds which will have an inevitable increase in patient load. [2904/24]

Emergency Departments

Pat Buckley

639. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health to confirm if accident and emergency care will still be provided to under-16 year-olds at Mercy University Hospital after the conclusion of the plan to move paediatric care exclusively to Cork University Hospital. [2905/24]

Emergency Departments

Pat Buckley

640. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of concerns that accident and emergency services at Cork University Hospital will be overwhelmed following the closure of the paediatric services at Mercy University Hospital; and what resources will be put in place to expand capacity and avoid the prospect of children on trolleys in waiting areas. [2906/24]

Hospital Staff

Pat Buckley

641. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that highly qualified and experienced paediatric staff in Mercy University Hospital, Cork, some of whom have 20-plus years service in paediatrics, are being ask to move to Cork University Hospital or apply for different roles due to the closure of the paediatric unit in MUH. [2907/24]

Hospital Services

Pat Buckley

642. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health to outline plans for paediatric care in Cork city and the surrounding area following the closure of Mercy University Hospital paediatric unit. [2908/24]

Hospital Services

Pat Buckley

643. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if capacity for on-site administration of infusions at Cork University Hospital paediatric unit will be provided following the closure of the MUH paediatric unit, where such a service was available; and what consideration, if any, has been made for the consequences for families and young patients if such a service is not available on site following the change in services. [2909/24]

Hospital Facilities

Pat Buckley

644. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health to act to stop the closure of paediatric services at Mercy University Hospital until such time as a full and adequate paediatric wing is in place at Cork University Hospital in order to avoid overwhelming services and reducing quality of care and outcomes for children in the Cork city area. [2910/24]

Waterways Ireland

Pat Buckley

458. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is aware of a confidentiality clause being signed within Waterways Ireland (details supplied); if this process is legal, given public money funds Waterways Ireland; if this development will be subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55352/23]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Pat Buckley

826. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that an elderly person has been waiting for over a year for a special bed for their home and still has not received one; the rationale for this (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55243/23]

Health Services Staff

Pat Buckley

195. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who was already employed by the HSE who was on a career break will not be reinstated in their job once they return; the reason for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54145/23]

Childcare Services

Pat Buckley

457. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department is aware that a creche will not be able to reopen until May 2024 due to the recent flooding in East Cork; if there is anything his Department can do to support the 100 plus children and their families find immediate creche places for family members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53302/23]

Childcare Services

Pat Buckley

458. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is any additional supports available to the families and the services users of a creche (details supplied) which is closed due to recent flooding and will not reopen again until May 2024 with the loss of over a hundred places and is forcing family members to take time off work as a result of no alternative creche places in the Midleton area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53303/23]

Defence Forces

Pat Buckley

134. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department is aware of a former Irish Army soldier (details supplied) with fourteen years' service who has no Army medical records and has informed this Deputy that their medical records were destroyed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52007/23]